Hose-coupling.



C. H. JOHNSON.

HOSE COUPLING. APPLICATION EILED JAN. 5. I917.

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HOSE-COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Got. 30, 1917.

Application filed January 5, 1917. Serial No. 140,805.

To all whom/it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL H. JOHNSONTQ. citizen of the United States, residing at Taylorsville, in the county of Bucks and State of Pennsylvania, have invented'new and useful Improvements in Hose-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates, to pipe couplings, and more especially to those for train pipes which are operated by hand at times; and the object of the same is to produce a structure wherein the several fluid carrying pipes of .a train are thrown into communication automatically when two cars are coupled together, and their valves opened automatically, but means are present whereby these valves may be closed by hand at this time. Also the invention contemplates the provision of means whereby when the cars are uncoupled and the valves in the pipes have closed automatically, they may be opened by hand when desired.

The invention consists in the details hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and shown in the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of the meeting ends of two cars and their couplings, showing them. equipped with a pair of my improved hose couplings whose heads have just met; and

Fig. 2 is a similar view when the cars have approached closer, the springs in this view being in section.

Fig. 3 is an end view of a car equipped with my coupling, the car-coupling being in section; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same with the draw bar of the car-coupling broken away and the heads of two of my couplings in horizontal section.

Fig. 5 is a perspective detail of one of the loops yet to be referred to. j

In Figs. 1 and2 are shown in outline only the platforms P of two cars, their draw bars B and coupling heads H, and it is directly below these draw bars and heads that I locate the structure constituting my invention. Carried by and depending from its draw bar B is a hanger 1 having a tubular guide2 in which slides a stem 3-carry1ng a .ball 4 atjits'front end, and a spring 5 bears the ball normally forward and draws the stemthrough the guide until a pin 6 contacts with the rear side of the hanger 1. The numeral 7 designates the head of my hose cou .pling, the same having a socket Sv loosely embracing the ball so that it may move on it, and the front end of this head has a .projection' and a recess to match a corresponding recess and projection onthe companion head as best seen in Fig. 4. The mating faces of the two heads are provided with openings 9 which register when the heads engage each other, and in Figs. 1 and I have made provision for three of these openings which are connected respectively with sections of hose 10, 11 and 12 or other flexible connectors leading backward and upward and each to its train pipe T, which latter are for conveying steam, hot air, or other fluids as usual. At the point of connection of each hose with its pipe there is a valve 13 whose stem 14: projects forward as best seen in Fig. i, and a spring 15 shown in dotted lines in this view is intended to hold the valve normally closed. When this stem is pressed to the rear, however, the valve is opened and fluid may flow from the pipe .T through the hose to the coupling head, wherein it passes throu h the mating openings 9 into the hose and thence into the pipe of the other car as is clearly understood. This much of my invention there fore comprises the draw bars and heads of the mating couplers andthe connection between the several openings in their heads and the respective train pipes. Each draw bar or stem 3 directly underlies the draw bar D of the car-coupling, is supported by it, and swings from side to side with it as the train'turns curves and passes switches; and yet the heads 7 of the hose coupler are projected by springs 5 independent of those on the draw bar D of the car coupler. The latter may be of any suitable type, automatic or otherwise, and is shown in the drawings merely to give an idea of the rela tive; posltion winch my invention occupies with reference thereto.

Depending from the car platform or some other fixed support are two brackets or two I pairs of hangers 20 standing on opposite sides of the draw bar D as best seen in Fig.

and each carries a horizontally disposed loop whose details are best illustrated in Fig. 5. This loop has its body 21 elongated longitudinally of the car and open transversely thereof, and its size is such that it will accommodate the parts next to be described. lVithin its rear end is a coiled expansive spring 22. Next forward of the spring there passes throughthe loop the reduced portion of a tranverse har i l, the same being. a as having a dropped center the draw bar D and pering of the latter; and '11 continues onward and through r loop 21 forward of its spring. At suitable points this bill carries brackets projecting from its front edge, and in each bracket journaled a roller 2?. Through the flOl-JL nd of the loop passes another bar or push rod 3% which also has a dropped center loosely embracing the draw bar D, and is also continued across and through the opposite loop, and this bar or rod has handles 36 at its e mities disposed within convennint reach of an operator standing on the ground at either side of the track or who perhaps may descend the car steps part way to reach the same. it proper points to one side of the loops the rod 3a is bowed forward as indicated at 37, the rear and dished side of each how co-acting with the roller 2? and the bar 2% times, and the forward side of each how constituting a cam to co-act with the front end of the loop at times as explained below. lhe reduced portion 23 of the bar 2%. is to prevent thelongitudinal movement of this bar through the loops in either direction, whereas the other bar or rod 3ais purposely so shaped that it may he moved longitudinally through the loops by either of its handles 36. The rearmost bar Ql passes across the outer ends of the valve stems Ll as best seen in Fig.

lligidly secured at h) to the rear end of the stem 3 is a yoke whose arms ll are led forward and upward and are loosely engaged with the front bar or rod 3% in any suitable manner. In Figs. and il: l have shown this bar, as provided with slots 4:2 with which the hooked front ends of the yoke-arms engage slidably by means of pins or bolts d3, but any equivalent construction may be adopted. The purpose of this detail is in order that, when the stem 3 is pressed to the rear by the meeting of two heads 7 and the compression of the springs 55, the yoke will move to the rear with it and its arms will cause the liar or rod 3% to move to the re s of this bar or rod with the rollers 27 causes the other bar 2-lto move to the rear against the tension of the springs 22.

The operation of my device will now be clear. d hen two cars meet and are coupled asdescrihed and th hars move to the rear, they press on the valve stem and open all the valves '13 so that fluid flows from the pipes T through the several hose sections 10, 11 and 12, through the registering ports or passages in the two heads T, and into the hose, sections and pipes of the next car. lVhile thescars are coupled, if it should he desired to close the'valves it is only neces sary to grasp one of the handles 3e and move the bar or rod 3st in adirection to bring its hows 3'7 opposite the rollers 27; this permits the bar 2% to move forward under the impulse of its springs with the result that the stems ll are moved forward under the impulse of their springs 15 and the several valves 13 are closed. When the cars are uncoupled the entire coupiing moves forward, the yoke movesforward with the stem, and the bars and 24: move forward so that the valves are automatically closed as just descrihee. If now it should happen that it is desired to open the valves one car whichis uncoupled, the bar or rod 3% is moved by either of its handles to bring the forward faces of its bowed portions 37 into loops 11, with the result that this rod is borne to the rear and, through the rollers 37, moves the oar or rod 2i to the rear and opens the valves. i Normally, however, the valves will stand closed when the cars are disconnected and the valves will be automatically opened in the act of connecting the cars, and this is what is desired with the train pipes .ofall cars By my invention it Wlll1l0 seen that when a diiierent condition with respect to the valves is desired, it may he brought about by manipulation of the push rod 3 l,in the proper direction. lilanifestly the particular type of valves used at 13 and the specific shape of the faces of the two heads 7 are not essential to the successful operation of this invention. in this respect as well as in others I claim the right to make such changes in details, and in the proportions and materials ofparts, as will fall within the scope of tie appended claims.

Vvnat is claimed as new is: r 1. In a hose coupling for train pipes, the combination with the coupler. head and stem, a guide for permitting longitudinal movements thereof, a spring bearing the head normally forward, the train pipes, hose sec tions leading from the head and connected with said pipes, and independent valves their points of connection; of guides beneath the car body, a cross bar movably mounted in said guides and extending across the stems of said valves, s 'irings hearing the cross bar normally forward, and means connected with the stem oft-he hose coupler for hearing said bar to the rear to open all valves when coupling is effected.

2. in a hose coupling for train pipes, the combination witn the coupler head and stem, a guide for permitting longitudinal movements thereof, a spring hearing the head normally forward, the train pipes, hose secfor moving the latter to the rear to open all valves when coupling is effected.

3. In a hose coupling for train pipes, the combination with the coupler head and stem, means for permitting longitudinal movements thereof, the train pipes connected with the head, and independent valves in said pipes; of loops extending longitudinally beneath the car body, a cross bar movably mounted therein and extending across the stems of said valves, springs bearing the cross bar normally forward, a second bar longitudinally movable through said loops forward of the first bar, cam connections between these bars whereby longitudinal movement of the second bar produces transverse movement of the first bar, and connections between the second bar and the coupler whereby said bar is moved to the rear when coupling is effected.

I. In a hose coupling for train pipes, the combination with the coupler head and stem, means for permitting longitudinal movements thereof, the train pipes, hose sections connecting the head with said pipes, and independent valves in the latter; of guides beneath the car body, a cross bar movably mounted in said guides and extending across the stems of said valves, springs bearing the cross bar normally forward, a second bar longitudinally movable through said guides forward of the first bar, means for preventing longitudinal movement of the first bar, cam connections between these bars whereby longitudinal movement of the second bar produces transverse movement of the first bar, and connections between the second bar and the stem of the coupler whereby said bar is moved to the rear when coupling is effected.

5. In a hose coupling for train pipes, the combination with the coupler head whose stem is movably mounted, the train pipe, a flexible connection between said head and pipe, and a normally closed valve in the pipe whose stem projects forward thereof; of longitudinal loops carried by the car body, a cross bar having reduced portions mounted in said loops whereby it may move therein transversely of its length, a second cross bar longitudinally movable through said loops and bowed forward at one side of each of them and having handles at its extremities, rollers carried by the first-named cross bar at points to register with said bows in the second, this bar passing across the valve-stem, and means pressing it normally forward within said loops. 7

6. In a hose coupling for train pipes, the combination with the coupler head whose stem is movably mounted, the train pipe, a flexible connection between said head and pipe, and a normally closed valve in the pipe whose stem projects forward thereof; of longitudinal loops carried by the car body, a cross bar having reduced portions mounted in said loops whereby it may movetherein transversely of its length, this bar having a dropped center underlying the draw bar of the car-coupling, a second cross bar longitudinally movable through said loops and .bowed forward at one side of each of them and having handles at its extremities, this bar having a dropped center underlying the draw bar of the car-coupling, brackets projecting forward from the first-named cross bar and spaced to correspond with the spacing of said loops, rollers carried by said brackets, this bar passing across the valvestem, and means pressing it normally forward within said loops.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with the train pipe, a normally closed valve therein whose stem projects toward the end of the car, and a hose coupling whose head is connected with said pipe forward of the valve; of two parallel bars, guide loops supporting them transversely beneath the car platform with the inner bar extending across the valve-stem, means for preventing the longitudinal movement of this bar in its guides, means for pressing it normally forward therein, and cam connections whereby longitudinal movement of the other bar in one direction permits the forward movement of the firstnamed bar, and longitudinal movement in the other direction moves both bars to the rear, for the purpose set forth.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with the train pipe, a normally closed valve therein whose stem projects toward the end of the car, and a hose coupling whose head is connected with said pipe forward of the valve; of two parallel bars, guide loops supporting them transversely beneath the car platform with the inner bar extending across the valve-stem, means for preventing the longitudinal movement of this bar in its guides, means for pressing it normally forward therein, rollers carried by the forward side of the rearmost bar at one side of said guide loops, and forwardly bent portions on the other bar spaced to correspond with the spacing of the rollers whereby when this bar is moved in one direction the bows register with the rollers and the other bar may move forward whereas when it is moved in the opposite direction the bows are drawn into the guide loops and both bars are pressed rearward, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

' CARL H. J OHNSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of I 'atents, Washington, D. G. 

